Dear Patsi, Your shrub border looks very healthy. The Golden Willow grows well here in the northeast. It likes to be cut back hard in late winter or early spring. But there is too much snow to do any gardening here, yet. P x

Dear Patsi, To answer your question -- pruning should be done while dormant in late fall or VERY EARLY spring. Sorry to say it is too late now, as your willow has broken dormancy. But it doesn't have to be pruned every year, so it is OK for you to wait until fall. Thanks for visiting my blog. P x